Leaving the classroom to extend student learning

External learning brings subjects to life through lived experiences.

School camps and excursions can bring our students into the wonderful natural environments of Australia. External learning could be a student’s first introduction to our great outback, instilling a lifelong love of the outdoors. Getting outdoors provides a host of benefits, including improved wellbeing, and promoting positive relationships with the environment and natural world.

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Similarly, a school excursion may provide a student with their first opportunity to visit a museum and explore works of art, historical artefacts, or a specially curated collection. Other cultural experiences like enjoying a live theatre production, or watching an orchestra perform can be facilitated by school excursions.

Excursions can be small-scale, and involve only part of the school day, for example, a walk to your local library, gallery or performance venue. Some opportunities, though, will not be available close to home, and a longer day trip, or multi-day camp might be necessary. In some instances, valuable excursion opportunities might take place outside of school hours, for example a trip to a city theatre to see a live performance, or to a stadium to watch a sporting match.

Wherever you choose to take your school group, it’s important to plan your excursion carefully, and ensure families and staff are given sufficient notice. This will ensure students have adequate time to get parent or caregiver permission, organise necessary payments, and arrange any equipment they might need.

Getting outdoors

Australia is lucky to have many excellent external learning providers that offer school camps and excursions, tailored to the desired outcomes for your school or class. Providers are familiar with the local natural features and are equipped to provide guidance through age appropriate, new, and challenging experiences.

Interacting with the outdoors through activities such as kayaking, mountain biking and orienteering help to build this relationship with the natural environment, while imparting key skills such as navigating, managing risk, and teamwork skills.

Camping out

School camps are known to build confidence, and for many adolescents it may be their first time away from a family setting, promoting independence, self-regulation and social capability with their peers. 

Educators looking to extend their students can rest assured that adventure activities such as rock climbing and kayaking will be delivered safely by an experienced team of professionals, whether your students are on a day trip or enjoying a longer school camp. These opportunities will leave a lasting impression on your students, who can experience new (and sometimes scary!) things in a supportive, controlled, and safe environment. Students will bring this boost to confidence through personal achievement, and an improved ability to cooperate, with them into the future.

Many providers have innovative options which can address learning areas in the national curriculum, as well as the cross-curriculum priorities of Personal and Social Capability, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, and Sustainability. 

Some providers have relationships with local elders who can share traditional knowledge and stories of Country with students. Programmes may also be available which enable students to learn more about the bush and the natural resources found there.

Other programmes can incorporate geology or astronomy components. Experienced guides may point out notable geological features in the area, or help groups identify or spot Australia’s flora and fauna. Alternately, a stargazing activity could be incorporated into a learning module on space.

Innovative external learning programmes such as these can tie into the broader curriculum and subject areas such as local history and culture, ecology and science. Some providers may even be able to combine programmes and experiences to maximise learning outcomes across broader personal competencies and subject areas.

Accommodation options are often available onsite to suit your school group’s needs. Whether housing a small group or large, camps may be able to tailor accommodation to ensure comfort, security and convenience. Camping grounds could offer a true outdoor experience, with toilet and cooking facilities onsite for convenience. Other options like cabins or larger lodges may be suitable for younger groups who require more supervision.

Cultural experiences

Not all external learning needs to happen outdoors. Many options are available to leave the classroom, while being mindful that not all students enjoy nature, and remaining inclusive to students of all ages and abilities.

Visits to museums, libraries or cultural sites can link to a range of subject areas, including social science, technology, art, music, science, and cultural studies.

Live performances are beneficial to all students in explaining concepts in different ways to promote understanding, and emotional connections. Drama and music students, though, may gain particular benefit from watching live performances of a professional standard. Some venues provide behind the scenes access for school groups, allowing them to explore backstage, and areas not open to the general public.

Most big cities, and many small ones, have a wealth of local landmarks and interesting architecture to explore. Expert guides in these spaces can enhance the learning experience for your students.

Schools looking for their next school trip have many excellent providers to chose from. Here’s a sample of some opportunities.

Emu Gully Adventure Education has 30 years of experience guiding young people through their Helidon site, located east of Toowoomba.  

Based on the belief that adventure shapes character and deepens learning, Emu Gully’s programmes go beyond traditional education, fostering growth through exploration and challenge. The activities which make up these programs are purpose-built for developing teamwork and leadership and are typically based around epic events and stories.

Each programme focuses on the character values of Courage, Mateship, Sacrifice and Perseverance and is professionally facilitated to enhance outcomes both in the moment and with application to real life.

In July 2025, Emu Gully will operate a second location, Emu Gully Tamborine, located one hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast on the Woodstock Farm site, part of a property owned by Youth Enterprise Trust. 

Nestled at the foot of stunning Mount Tamborine, this new site will offer an incredible blend of Emu Gully’s signature activities with the thrill of adventure camping. Students will be accommodated in tents, while staff will have the comfort of cabins. Future plans include full accommodation and ablutions facilities which will be completed in 2026.

StayKCC offers students the opportunity to create cherished memories across 25 acres of stunning bushland within the world heritage listed Blue Mountains.

StayKCC offers a diverse range of facilities with a focus on comfort, community, and natural beauty, providing a wonderful learning environment and unforgettable experience for school groups and camps. With a diverse range of accommodation options including dormitory-style and self-contained lodges, StayKCC can cater for a range of groups from 20 to 399 students. With combined indoor capacity and outdoor camping amenities, StayKCC can welcome a total of 700 students. 

StayKCC also provides a number of indoor and outdoor activities that can be booked to enhance your school’s stay. These include a wide selection of nature-based, adventure, art, cultural experiences, sporting, and team-building programmes that are designed to inspire and engage, supporting what is being taught in the classroom under the Australian Curriculum’s key learning areas.

There are also many onsite multi-purpose meeting and event spaces including a 2150-seat auditorium, surround-sound cinema, theatre-style conferencing and a selection of meeting rooms and break-out spaces that can be configured specifically to your school group’s requirements. StayKCC features a full-sized commercial kitchen with onsite catering services available.

Other amenities include complimentary wifi, spacious grassed environment that is suitable for a variety of sports and open-aired events.

StayKCC is close to the historic townships of Katoomba and Leura, with Scenic World only seconds away. Other nearby attractions include the Three Sisters, Giant Staircase, Echo Point, Explorers Tree, and The Edge Cinema.

Embark on a cosmic adventure with Perth Observatory school excursions. Give your students the chance to explore the wonders of the universe with an unforgettable educational experience at Perth Observatory. Primary school day tours are carefully designed for students in Years 3 to 6, offering an exciting blend of interactive learning and hands-on exploration.

Aligned with the Australian National Curriculum, Perth Observatory tours provide an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of astronomy and physics. During the excursion, students will explore the grounds and buildings of the historic observatory, gaining insight into how astronomers study the universe. They will have the chance to see and learn about a diverse collection of telescopes, both modern and historical, which have played a key role in unlocking the secrets of space.

Through engaging activities and captivating presentations, students will not only expand their knowledge but also foster a lifelong appreciation for science and the cosmos. The experience is designed to inspire curiosity and critical thinking while making learning fun and memorable.

Whether you’re looking to complement classroom lessons or spark an interest in STEM fields, school excursions to Perth Observatory offer an invaluable opportunity for students to connect with the universe in a meaningful way.